A Bloomberg report on May 28 announced that Boehringer had agreed to pay $650 million to settle approximately 4,000 lawsuits. The $650 million settlement should give each of the claimants approximately $162,500.

The plaintiffs suing Pradaxa alleged that the pharmaceutical company knew that the drug posed excessive risks to patients, and failed to adequately warn consumers of the dangers. The May 28 Bloomberg report also states that after Pradaxa was approved by the FDA in 2010, patients and doctors began reporting severe and fatal bleeding complications, including 542 deaths and 3,781 side effects in 2011.

According to a report by Reuters on May 28, Pradaxa is part of a new class of medicines meant as alternatives to warfarin, an older blood thinner meant to prevent strokes caused by blood clots. This type of drug is usually prescribed for those suffering from atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat common in the elderly.

News of the settlement comes approximately a week after the company announced that a new analysis of the study used to win FDA approval of Pradaxa failed to include 22 serious bleeding events. Additionally, other documents produced in court suggest that Boehringer did not disclose to U.S. regulators that the drug may have caused more fatal bleeding that was previously reported.

On December 10, 2013, Bloomberg reported that Boehringer was ordered to pay $931,000 in sanctions for acting in bad faith and destroying or failing to preserve evidence regarding Pradaxa’s development and marketing. While these sanctions may have influenced the drug maker’s decision to settle, Boehringer maintains that it has committed no wrongdoing. A statement from the company said that while it continues to stand behind Pradaxa and believes that these lawsuits have no merit, Boehringer is settling these claims to avoid lengthy and protracted litigation.

The Edwards Law Firm is continuing to extend free consultations to any person who suffered adverse side effects after taking Pradaxa. To contact the Edwards Law Firm about an injury that may be linked to Pradaxa, call (800)304-9246 or visit edwardslawok.com, and speak with an experienced dangerous drug attorney today.

About The Edwards Law Firm

The attorneys at the Edwards Law Firm represent injured people throughout Oklahoma, and have recovered more than $50 million in compensation for their clients. The McAlester-based firm has offices throughout the state in order to serve their clients. The personal injury firm fights for those who have been injured or killed by dangerous drugs, auto accidents, slip-and-falls, nursing home abuse, and medical malpractice. For a free and confidential case consultation, contact The Edwards Law Firm by visiting http://www.edwardslawok.com or call (800) 304-9246.